I took a bunch of pictures of the different folds as I understand them, for future reference! Trying to figure out the "7" fold in particular was really difficult until I found some pictures. I thought it would be good to have step by step pictures of all the folds in one place.

I also am planning on taking comparison pictures of ALL the different menstrual cups (Lunette included). I wrote to the companies asing for samples. I plan to put all these photos, as well as the folds, on a webpage for easy access, for beginner cup users! Hopefully I can make the process of getting used to a cup easier than it was for me! And maybe some other information too, who knows.

WARNING! For those on dial-up, there are a TON of pictures behind the cut. It will take awhile to load. Pictures approximately 100 kb each, and there are 18 of them behind the cut.

My Keeper. Approximately 2 1/2 years old, Size "B" (smaller size). Yeah I know I need a manicure. :P The Keeper was dry too, much harder to hold the folds! Oh and it's not that easy taking pictures of your own hand, but way better than sucking up my pride and asking my sister to photograph my menstrual cup!

"C" Fold:This one is pretty straightforward, directions for it come with every cup. It's also the widest fold.

Step 1: Pinch the cup, pressing both sides together.

Step 2: Fold the cup in half.

Step 3: Pinch cup together, forming a "C" shape, and insert.

Punch-Down Fold:A lot of people find insertion easier with this fold because the width is decreased, but some people find it doesn't pop open as easily.

Step 1: Push the rim of the cup down into the cup to the base with your finger.

Step 2: Pinch the sides of the cup together.

Step 3: Grasp the cup at the base to insert.

"7" Fold:This fold is smaller than the "C" Fold, and some people find it opens easier than the punch-down fold. It makes a "7" shape with the rim of the cup.

Step 1: First you pinch the sides of the cup together, as with "C" fold.

Step 2: Fold one side of the cup over and down, forming a "7" shape with the rim of the cup.

"Origami" Fold:I saw pictures of this fold in the Yahoo! group "MoonKeeperDivas" photo album. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same-- the photos are blurry and they're labelled as "7" Fold. But this is definitely a different fold, and it's my favorite. It's as small as the punch down but opens as easily as the "7" fold. The best description I could come up with is "origami" as there are a lot of steps to this fold.

Step 1: Push one side of the rim down about halfway in the cup.

Step 2: Bring one side of the cup across the other and down, as in "7" fold.

Step 3: Press the cup flat, creating folds at the bottom of the cup.

This photo shows the funky smooshed folds of the bottom. This helps the cup pop open more easily.

Step 4: Pinch the bottom of the cup and insert. I find I can get it farther in before it opens than other folds, creating a better seal.

A side view of this fold.

Comparison PicturesThese pictures are "actual size" in my screen resolution-- unfortunately probably very few of you use this screen resolution, so it will appear much bigger. But for those of you who happen to be browsing on an 800 pixel height resolution, then these are actual size! But even if not, these photos are in scale to eachother.

I know that divacup doesn't give free samples. I don't know about the other companies. But if you think about it - if they gave free samples, they would never make any money, because people would just get a free sample (the cup lasts for years) instead of buying one.

You misunderstand-- I'm not receiving free whole intact cups. All of the cup companies offer cups for educational purposes, usually those that have been returned, with a hole punched in so they can't be used.

What kind of a turn around time do you get with that? I'm trying to put together a section on alternative menstrual products for a women's festival..Do you think if I ordered now that I'd be able to get them before April 7th?

I'm getting ready to start my third cycle with the Diva, and I'm still in the obsessive phase (getting ready to write a paper on the advantages of reusable products for my Society, Economy, and Nature class, plus harrassing the campus Sierra Club into covering the products for this festival) over my new-found knowledge of these products.